The Mekhitarist Congregation of San Lazzaro as Guardians and Propagators of the Legacies of SS Gregory of Narek and Nersēs of Klay: An Outline

The present article is a survey of the contributions made by the Mekhitarist Fathers of San Lazzaro, Venice to the preservation, study and propagation of the legacies of two major Armenian Saints (and arguably greatest Armenian mediaeval writers), Gregory of Narek (c. 945–1003) and Nersēs of Klay (the ‘Gracious’, 1102–1173). This work has been very much in keeping with the principles and aspirations of the Founder of the Congregation, Mxit‘ar of Sebaste (1676–1749). I therefore start with an outline of the history of the Mekhitarist Congregation from its inception, with due regard to its strong emphasis on scholarship and on a rich liturgical life (embracing a venerable and unique musical tradition – which I discuss in a separate section), as well as its very special role as a cultural and ecclesiological bridge between East and West. It was therefore natural that much effort was bestowed by the Congregation on the oeuvres of those two Saints, who were especially noteworthy for their sacred poetry and music, as well as for their strong Ecumenical inclinations; I argue that both these aspects were very much in harmony with the ideals and aims of the Congregation. I provide succinct introductions to the two Saints individually, and then proceed to discuss the special contributions of the Mekhitarist Fathers in either instance – as scholars, editors, exegetes, translators and publishers, as well as musical and liturgical practitioners of a tradition kept alive to this day, in which the prayers, hymns and odes of the Saints continue to play a vital role.